Turning A Marx H0 999 0-4-0 Into A Pseudo "Atlantic"

 Since receiving and rebuilding my first Marx battery powered 0-4-0, I've always been intrigued by its shape. Let's face it, that is a Belpair boiler, and the Pennsylvania Railroad was the largest used. This looks so much like a baby E6 Atlantic I just had to give it a shot. 

The biggest problem with the Marx model is the frame. This one was made from two models, thanks to a judicious amount of J-B Weld. The shell is scuffed, the motor is cranky, and there is an intermittent gearing problem where the wheels would just lock up. 

All of this means this model is the perfect candidate for the conversion. 

Since there is no easy way to make a working 4-4-2 due to the shape of the frame, I decided to proceed the old toy train route, which means faking the wheels. 

I used spare H0 wheels from the parts bin for the pilot wheels. These were plastic, so wheels were cut from the axles. The flanges where they would touch the rails were trimmed down so that only the treads would contact the rails, and just barely at that. What they really do is float just above the rails. 

The trailing wheels were built on top of a large plastic toy train wheel set that was considerably modified, ultimately being less than 1/2 their original diameter. Again, the flanges were removed at the railhead, and a section of a thin plastic disks were added to the top. 

The trailing truck frame was built up in two sections, one on the body, the other on the frame. This was done to allow the model to come apart with no trouble. In my mind I was trying to imagine how the designers at the nearby Girard, Pennsylvania factory would have overcome this issue as well.

Also, you may have noticed the color of my plastic. Yes, I use plastic signs as they are cheap and readily available. 

Once everything was built, the model was allowed to set overnight. 

The initial painting was done today after cleaning off the shell yet again. For now, the shell is being left unpainted as I decide how to proceed with markings. The rest of the modifications to the locomotive were painted, as well as the wheels. 

This is the end result, for now at least - 

While it is still cranky whilst being run, it certainly looks the part of a mixed train light Atlantic. At least I'm satisfied with it for now.